Andile Moshoeshoe
“THOSE who kill women and children should also die, and this is my wish for them: that they die and rot in hell. They must die now, not tomorrow.” This was according to Greater Kokstad municipal manager Sipho Zwane, sharing his sentiments following the country’s ongoing gender-based violence (GBV) crisis. His outburst laid bare the depth of despair confronting a community increasingly demanding answers over the deaths of its most vulnerable residents, while questions continue to be raised about why suspects have not been arrested in a number of the cases.
The killings have cast a long and disturbing shadow over community meetings, with residents telling officials that they no longer feel secure, even within the confines of their own homes.
The scale of the concern is underscored by the deaths of children including Lathitha Mtolo (7) reported missing in February, Ndalo Jona (7) and Banele Mshubi (3). More than 10 other people are also reported to have been killed in Kokstad since April this year.
According to information presented by police, arrests have been made in six of the cases, while five remain without arrests.
Several of the reported incidents have been linked to domestic violence, alcohol-related violence and the neglect of children, circumstances that have intensified concern over the vulnerability of women and children in the community.
Speaking at an Integrated Development Plan meeting in the Horseshoe Township on Tuesday, September22, Zwane made an impassioned appeal for accountability and divine intervention.
“If there is anyone among us at this meeting who is responsible, I wish that person would die now, not tomorrow. I appeal to all of us here, according to the spiritual authority bestowed upon us, whether through our faith, our ancestors or through God, to condemn and curse those who kill children and women, so that they may die now,” he said.
In an emotional moment, Zwane turned to a woman in the gathering and asked her to pray for the community and for an end to the killings.
The meeting also exposed growing concern over children’s safety during dark hours.
Local councillor Phumzile Nocanda told residents that the municipality was tightening measures aimed at preventing children from roaming the streets at night.
He said children found on the streets after 7pm, including those sent to local shops by their parents or guardians would be intercepted.
“At present, no young child in Kokstad is permitted to be on the streets after 7pm. If we arrive at your home with the police at night and establish that the child was sent out by you, you will be arrested,” Nocanda warned.
Apparently, residents made it clear that restricting children’s movements would not, on its own, address the wider security crisis. They called for the installation of additional CCTV cameras across both the town and township, arguing that increased surveillance could strengthen crime prevention and assist investigators in identifying those responsible for violent crimes.
The community also called for the deployment of stronger security measures, including high-mast lighting, particularly in areas where poor visibility and limited surveillance could leave residents exposed.
Nocanda acknowledged the demand for additional cameras but said that the municipality’s available budget was insufficient to install them across the area at once.
He said the cameras would therefore have to be rolled out incrementally, according to the municipality’s annual budget allocations.
